Wednesday, May 29, 2013

HolyNameMedicalCenter has established a Headache
Treatment Program for the care of adults, adolescents and children who suffer
from intractable migraine headaches, and for whom conventional methods of
therapy have failed. Holy Name neurologist James Charles, MD, FAAN, FAHS, is medical director of the
Headache Treatment Program, and is certified in headache medicine by the United
Council of Neurologic Subspecialties.

Under the direction of staff
neurologists, intravenous medications are administered on an outpatient basis by
nursing staff specially trained in the field of headache medicine to ensure
maximum safety and effectiveness. Children and teens are treated on the MedicalCenter’s pediatric
and young adult floor; adults are treated in the adult infusion center. Most
patients require one visit; others may need repetitive, daily treatment for up
to three days. Holy Name is the only facility in New Jersey offering
infusion therapies to intractable headache patients of all ages.

Early intervention can re-set
the brain’s headache mechanism

“Studies have demonstrated that, with early
intervention, as soon as the patient is identified and that patient is placed
onto an appropriate treatment program, the transformation to the malignant,
disabling forms of migraine can be prevented,” explains Dr. Charles.“This is a biological disease that is often
genetic. A migraine attack lowers the threshold for more brain attacks. More
brain attacks cause anatomic and functional alterations of the brain, setting
the stage for more frequent and debilitating migraine headaches.”

According
to Dr. Charles, infusion therapy is highly effective for patients with:

Øchronic migraines with and
without medication overuse, who have failed multiple treatments to prevent or
stop migraine symptoms, and who are disabled by their headaches but do not
require or desire inpatient treatment

Ømigraine headaches lasting
longer than 72 hours and that do not respond to conventional medications

Øacute migraine attacks that
last fewer than 72 hours, are debilitating, and not responsive to
self-administered medications

Øprolonged aura

Øcluster headache exacerbation

Ønew, daily persistent
headache

“While most patients experience relief after an
outpatient treatment, continues Dr. Charles, “there are those whose headache
attack will not terminate after days and weeks, and there are some chronic
migraine patients whose headaches do not respond to oral medications. The Headache Treatment Program at Holy Name is
designed for such patients. Children, teenagers, and adults are treated with
the appropriate medications to break the vicious headache cycle, and leave our
infusion center feeling better. The long- term goal is to reset the brain 's
neurochemistry so that, in conjunction with targeted outpatient treatment,
patients can go from frequent severe headaches to minimal headaches. “

“Lowering the burden of migraine starts with
educating the public, especially parents and teachers,” notes Dr. Charles. “It
is a misconception that an acute headache with nausea, vomiting, and the need
for bed rest is due to conditions such as sinusitis, eyestrain or dental
problems. “

Facts &
Stats About Migraine Headache

ØThe World Health
Organization has placed migraine in the top 20 group of most disabling diseases
of the world.

ØIn the United States, there are 28 million
people over the age of 12 who suffer with migraines.

ØIn the US, there are eight
million children under the age of 12 who suffer with migraines.

ØThirty percent of
migraine sufferers never see a doctor because they have low-frequency intermittent
headaches, experience occasional headaches, and do not require medical
assistance.

ØSeventy percent of
migraine sufferers fall into one of two categories: About 40% will have
intermediate to high-frequency migraine attacks. The remaining 30% will
transform to chronic migraine which is defined as more than 15 headache days
per month.

ØChronic migraine
patients (adults and children) have decreased academic performance, impaired
work productivity, and can become socially withdrawn.

For more information about migraine headache or the
Headache Treatment Program at HolyNameMedicalCenter, patients may contact Holy Name’s CallCenter at 1-877-HOLY-NAME.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Holy Name Medical Center’s Korean Medical Program (KMP) has been named
a finalist in the NJBIZ Healthcare Heroes awards program. NJBIZ, a business
news publication, honors individuals and organizations who are making a
significant impact on the quality of healthcare in New Jersey.

Currently celebrating its fifth year of providing culturally and
linguistically sensitive healthcare to the Korean-American population, the KMP
has grown exponentially since its founding. Eighty physicians are associated
with the program, and the number of annual patient visits to the Holy Name
Medical Center (HNMC) campus and KMP satellite locations in Closter and
Englewood Cliffs has grown to 40,000, a 90% increase over the program’s first
year.

HNMC has become the Korean
community’s hospital of choice- where Korean-speaking patients and visitors are
greeted in the lobby by Korean-speaking customer service representatives,
patients are offered warm liquids instead of ice water and new mothers served
seaweed soup, in keeping with their cultural traditions.Through extensive media coverage in local
Korean media outlets, the KMP is raising the population’s awareness of the
importance of prevention, screening and early detection, particularly of
illnesses that are prevalent in the Korean- American community.

Included among the programs and services offeredto the community are the Annual Community
Health Fair where tests,vaccinations,
screenings,and consultations are
provided free of charge to 1500 uninsured/underinsured individuals; the Walk
for Mom Breast Cancer Awareness campaign; Mental Health campaign; and Hepatitis
B/Liver Health campaign.The Asian
Diabetes Center screens 2000 patients annually, and the Healthy You Program
provides individualized health plans to reduce high cholesterol and improve
overall health of participants.

Other programs have been created to meet the
needs of the diverse community served by Holy Name. The Hispanic Outreach
Program offers culturally-sensitive healthcare and screenings and seminars for
Spanish-speaking individuals in churches, schools and libraries throughout
Bergen, Hudson and Passaic counties.

Observant Jewish patients will find accommodations at Holy Name that
include kosher meals for patients and guests, a Sabbath overnight room for
family members, a Sabbath elevator, Sabbath lounge stocked with kosher snacks
and two separate microwaves for meat and dairy, an interfaith chapel and end-
of -life hospice and palliative care programs that have been accredited by the
National Institute for Jewish Hospice.

Inspired by Holy Name’s founding
order, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Peace, Holy Name is committed to helping
our community achieve the highest attainable level of health.It’s not just our job to serve every member
of our community. It’s our mission.

For more information about Holy Name programs and services or
for a physician referral, please visit holyname.org or call 1-877-HOLYNAME
(1-877-465-9626).

About Me

Holy Name Medical Center is a fully accredited, not-for-profit healthcare facility based in Teaneck, New Jersey, with off-site locations throughout Bergen County. Founded and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in 1925, the comprehensive 361-bed medical center offers leading-edge medical practice and technology administered in an environment rooted in a tradition of compassion and respect for every patient. Holy Name provides high quality health care across a continuum that encompasses education, prevention, early intervention, comprehensive treatment options, rehabilitation and wellness maintenance—from pre-conception through end-of-life.